Prophet Muhammad Prophethood – JSS2 Islamic Studies Lesson Note (First Term)

Prophethood is the office of being chosen by Allah to receive His message and deliver it to people, and Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was the last prophet chosen.

Behavioural objectives

1. Describe the early life of Prophet Muhammad.
2. Explain what happened in the Cave of Hira.
3. State how Khadijah and Waraqah responded to the first revelation.
4. Name the first people to believe in Prophet Muhammad.
5. List the main things Prophet Muhammad taught.
6. Explain why Muhammad and his followers moved to Medina.

What are the key terms in this topic?

Six key terms help students understand the prophethood of Muhammad.

What was Muhammad known for before he became a prophet?

Muhammad was known as a truthful, honest and kind man whom everyone trusted.

• Truthful: he did not lie.
• Honest trader: he dealt fairly with customers and business partners.
• Kind: he was gentle and caring toward people.
• Trusted: people left their valuables with him for safe keeping.

What was the early life of Muhammad?

Muhammad was born in Mecca, Arabia, around 570 CE.

• Birth: he was born in Mecca into the Quraysh tribe.
• Parents: his father Abdullah died before he was born, and his mother Aminah died when he was young.
• Guardians: his grandfather Abdul Muttalib raised him first, then his uncle Abu Talib.
• Work: he became a trader and later traded for a businesswoman called Khadijah.
• Marriage: he married Khadijah when he was about 25 years old.
• Title: people called him “Al-Amin” (The Trustworthy) because of his honesty.

How did the first revelation happen?

The first revelation happened when Angel Gabriel brought Muhammad a message from Allah in the Cave of Hira, when he was 40 years old.

What happened in the Cave of Hira?

• Place: Hira is a cave in a mountain near Mecca.
• Habit: Muhammad often went there to think and pray alone.
• Age: he was 40 years old at this time.
• Time: the revelation came one night in the month of Ramadan.

How did Muhammad meet Angel Gabriel?

1. Angel Gabriel appeared to Muhammad in the cave.
2. The angel brought a message from Allah.
3. The first words were: “Read in the name of your Lord who created.”
4. Muhammad replied that he could not read, so he was surprised and afraid.

• First verses: these words are the opening verses of Surah Al-Alaq (chapter 96) of the Quran.

How did Muhammad react to the first revelation?

Muhammad was frightened and went home to his wife Khadijah, who comforted him and took him to Waraqah.

How did Khadijah respond?

• Fear: Muhammad was scared and did not understand what had happened.
• Comfort: Khadijah calmed him and stayed by his side.
• Trust in his character: she reminded him that he was truthful, helped the poor and cared for his family.
• Belief: she believed him at once.

How did Waraqah respond?

• Who he was: Waraqah was Khadijah’s cousin and a wise Christian scholar.
• His words: he told Muhammad that he had been chosen as a prophet.
• His warning: he said Muhammad would bring a new message and that some people would oppose him.

What was the message of prophethood?

The message of prophethood was to worship one God, Allah, and to live a kind, honest and good life.

What were the first teachings?

• Close people first: Muhammad began by sharing Allah’s message with family and close friends.
• One God: he told people to worship Allah alone.
• Good conduct: he taught people to be kind and good.
• Bad habits: he spoke against wrong practices in society.

What challenges did he face?

• Refusal: many people did not want to listen.
• Mockery: some people made fun of him.
• Anger: others became angry and troubled him and his followers.
• Patience: he stayed patient and continued his message.

Who were the first followers of Prophet Muhammad?

The first followers were Khadijah, Abu Bakr, Ali and Zayd, and they supported him from the beginning.

What was Muhammad’s character as a prophet?

As a prophet, Muhammad kept the honest and kind character he had before prophethood.

• Honest: he always told the truth.
• Patient: he bore insults and hardship calmly.
• Kind: he was gentle to everyone.
• Generous: he helped poor people.
• Respectful: he treated everyone with respect.
• Self-controlled: he was never angry without a good reason.

How did the message of Islam spread?

The message of Islam spread as Muhammad kept teaching and more people from different backgrounds accepted it.

How did Muhammad share the word of Allah?

• He continued teaching in spite of opposition.
• More people started listening.
• People from different backgrounds joined, both rich and poor.

Why did Muhammad move to Medina?

Muhammad and his followers moved from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE because the Meccan leaders rejected and troubled them.

• Rejection: most people in Mecca did not accept his message.
• Ill-treatment: the Muslims suffered insults and hardship there.
• Welcome: people in Medina accepted Islam and invited him to live among them.
• New community: in Medina the Muslims built a new community.
• Unity: Muhammad brought people together.
• Name: this movement is called the Hijrah.

What did Prophet Muhammad teach?

Prophet Muhammad taught belief in one God and good conduct toward other people.

• One God: believe in Allah alone.
• Kindness: be kind to others.
• Charity: help poor people.
• Fairness: treat everyone fairly.
• Family: take care of your family.
• Truthfulness: always tell the truth.

What were the miracles of Prophet Muhammad?

A miracle is a special sign from Allah that supports the claim of a prophet, and the Quran is the greatest miracle of Prophet Muhammad.

• The Quran: the holy book revealed to him, even though he could not read or write.
• The Night Journey (Isra and Miraj): Allah took him in one night from Mecca to Jerusalem and then up through the heavens.

What lasting effects did his message have?

• Unity: he brought people together.
• Change: he changed how people lived.
• Peace: he spread a message of peace.
• Guidance: he showed people a better way of life.

How did the prophethood of Muhammad end?

The prophethood of Muhammad ended with his death in Medina in 632 CE, after he had completed delivering Allah’s message.

• Length: his prophethood lasted about 23 years.
• Final message: in his last pilgrimage sermon he reminded Muslims how to live good lives.
• Right path: he showed the right path through the Quran and his own example.
• Preparing Muslims: he prepared Muslims to carry on after him.
• Last prophet: Muslims believe he is the last of the prophets.

Why is the life of Prophet Muhammad important?

The life of Prophet Muhammad is important because it gives Muslims a model of faith and good character.

• Hope: he brought a message of hope.
• Knowledge of Allah: he taught people about Allah.
• Change: his message changed many societies.
• Example: he showed how to be a good person.
• Peace: he encouraged peace and understanding.
• Lesson for us: one person can make a big difference by being kind, honest and faithful.

Evaluation

1. Why did people call Muhammad “Al-Amin”?
2. What were the first words Angel Gabriel brought to Muhammad?
3. Who was Waraqah, and what did he tell Muhammad?
4. Name the four people who believed in Muhammad first.
5. Why did Muhammad and his followers move to Medina?

Assignment

List five things Prophet Muhammad taught. Choose one of them and write two sentences on how you can practise it at home or in school.